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Here are the red flags that give it away

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Scammers are sending emails that appear to come from Microsoft, warning users their accounts face suspension or deletion.

• The messages use urgent language and official-looking logos to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links.

• Security experts say the goal is to steal login credentials and gain access to email, financial accounts and personal data.

Consumers are reporting a surge in scam emails that appear to come from Microsoft, warning recipients of serious problems with their email accounts and urging immediate action.

The messages, which often feature Microsofts logo and branding, claim that the recipients account has been flagged for unusual activity, is over quota, or will be permanently suspended unless the user verifies their information within 24 hours.

Cybersecurity experts say the emails are phishing attempts designed to trick people into handing over their Microsoft login credentials.

What the emails look like

In many cases, the subject lines read like urgent security alerts: Final Notice: Account Suspension Pending, Unusual Sign-In Activity Detected, or Mailbox Will Be Deleted.

The body of the message typically warns that the recipients Outlook, Hotmail or Microsoft 365 account has encountered a serious issue. A prominent button often labeled Verify Now, Update Account, or Prevent Deactivation directs users to a website that looks strikingly similar to an official Microsoft login page.

But its a fake.

The scammers are trying to create panic, said one cybersecurity analyst. They want you to act quickly, without stopping to check whether the message is legitimate.

Red flags to watch for

While the emails may look convincing at first glance, there are several warning signs:

Suspicious sender address:

The display name may say Microsoft Support, but the actual email address often comes from a random string of characters or an unrelated domain.

Generic greetings:

Instead of addressing the recipient by name, the message may begin with Dear User or Dear Customer.

Urgent threats and deadlines:

Legitimate companies rarely threaten immediate deletion within hours. High-pressure language is a classic phishing tactic.

Mismatched links:

Hovering over the Verify button often reveals a web address that has nothing to do with microsoft.com, sometimes containing odd spellings or extra words.

Requests for sensitive information:

Any request to confirm passwords, recovery phrases, or payment information via email is a major red flag.

What scammers want

The ultimate goal is to steal account credentials. Once scammers obtain a victims Microsoft username and password, they can:

• Lock the user out of their own account

• Access sensitive emails and stored documents

• Reset passwords on other accounts tied to the email address

• Launch additional using the compromised account

In some cases, attackers may also attempt to harvest credit card details under the guise of billing verification. Because many consumers use their Microsoft email accounts to manage banking, shopping and social media logins, a single compromised account can open the door to widespread identity theft.

What consumers should do

Security experts recommend that recipients avoid clicking any links in unsolicited emails about account problems. Instead, they should go directly to Microsofts official website by typing the address into their browser and check for notifications there.

If you suspect youve entered your credentials on a phishing site, change your password immediately not only for your Microsoft account but for any other accounts that use the same password. Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection.

Couples can save nearly $21,000 annually by sharing housing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Living solo comes with plenty of perks independence, privacy and full control of the thermostat. But that freedom also comes with a price tag.

• A new Zillow Rentals analysis finds the national singles tax the extra amount renters pay to live alone rather than share housing now totals $10,470 per year.

• With typical U.S. apartment rent at $1,745, up 30% over the past five years, solo renters are footing the full bill instead of splitting costs with roommates.

Zillow has chosen Valentine's week to release a study showing that living alone is significantly more costly than sharing a home with a partner. It probably shouldnt be the main reason to move in together, but Zillow points out that it does have its financial benefits.

The real estate platforms latest rental analysis calculates that the typical renter living alone pays $10,470 more per year than someone who shares housing. That figure represents the added burden of covering a full apartment rent solo rather than dividing it with a roommate or partner.

Nationally, the typical multifamily rent now stands at $1,745 per month, according to Zillows Observed Rent Index. Rents have climbed 30% over the past five years, amplifying the cost gap between solo renters and those who split housing expenses.

There is some relief on the horizon: Zillow reports that apartment affordability factoring in rising incomes is at its best level since April 2021.

A broader look at how singles live

Last year, Zillow measured the singles tax using only one-bedroom units. This year, the company expanded its methodology, analyzing rents across all apartment sizes using more than 72,000 multifamily listings nationwide. The shift reflects the range of options single renters actually consider, including larger units that may offer space for a home office, gym or extra storage.

When youre living alone, youre covering the full rent on one income and that can add up fast, said Emily Smith, Zillow rental trends expert. Apartments often make living solo more attainable, while also offering shared spaces that help people feel connected. And for renters who choose to live with a partner or roommate, splitting everyday costs like rent, utilities and groceries can go a long way in easing the pressure of todays higher cost of living.

The couples discount

While singles shoulder extra costs, couples effectively receive a financial boost by sharing one lease.

Zillow estimates that couples who consolidate households can save a combined $20,940 annually in rent more than half of whats needed for a 10% down payment on a typical U.S. home. In high-cost markets, the savings are even more dramatic.

New York City tops the list as the most expensive market for solo renters. According to StreetEasy, Zillows New York City brand, living alone in the city costs renters $23,400 more per year compared with sharing housing.

The typical monthly multifamily rent there is $3,900.

San Jose ranks second, with a singles tax of $19,488 annually and typical rent of $3,248 per month. Boston follows at $18,084 per year, with typical rent at $3,014.

Other high-cost markets include:

• San Francisco: $17,142 singles tax; $2,857 typical monthly rent

• Los Angeles: $15,888; $2,648

• San Diego: $15,858; $2,643

• Miami: $14,658; $2,443

• Riverside, California: $13,458; $2,243

• Washington, D.C.: $13,380; $2,230

• Seattle: $12,372; $2,062

In many of these metros including New York, San Jose, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego renters who share housing can save more than $30,000 per year, highlighting just how financially powerful cohabitation can be in the nations priciest markets.

Its one of the largest health insurance payouts in history

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Millions of former and current Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) policyholders are finally set to receive payouts from a $2.67 billion antitrust class-action settlement, with checks expected to begin going out in May 2026.

• The settlement resolves claims that more than 30 BCBS plans unlawfully limited competition in health insurance markets, a case first filed in 2013.

• Roughly $2 billion of the fund will go to approved claimants after legal fees, with individual payments varying widely based on premiums paid and coverage type.

After more than a decade of litigation and lengthy delays, payouts from one of the largest antitrust settlements in U.S. health insurance history are finally about to reach the wallets of millions of Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) policyholders.

Beginning in May, approved claimants who filed valid claims by the Nov. 5, 2021 deadline will receive money from a $2.67 billion settlement fund created to resolve allegations that BCBS plans unlawfully limited competition among themselves in selling health insurance and administrative services.

Long road to payment

The class-action lawsuit was originally filed in 2013, accusing more than 30 independent BCBS insurance plans of violating federal antitrust laws by agreeing not to compete nationally a practice plaintiffs said led to higher premiums and fewer choices for consumers. BCBS has consistently denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation costs and risks.

Although a settlement was reached in October 2020, payouts were delayed for years as appeals were litigated and administrators painstakingly reviewed millions of claims to determine eligibility. The final legal hurdles were cleared in 2024, paving the way for distribution of funds this spring.

How much and who gets paid

Of the total $2.67 billion settlement, roughly $2 billion remains available to claimants after allocating about $667 million for plaintiffs attorneys fees and other expenses.

Payment amounts will vary widely. Factors include:

• The total premiums paid by an individual or group during the settlement period;

• Whether coverage was fully insured or self-funded; and

• The number of valid claims ultimately accepted.

Estimates from settlement administrators and public filings suggest that average payouts could be in the low hundreds of dollars per claimant, though exact amounts wont be finalized until funds are disbursed.

Eligible claimants include individuals and groups who were enrolled in BCBS individual or group insurance plans between Feb. 7, 2008, and Oct. 16, 2020, or in self-funded accounts between Sept. 1, 2015, and Oct. 16, 2020. Dependents and beneficiaries are not eligible for payouts.

What happens now

Settlement administrators have begun sending claim determination notices by mail and email, informing policyholders whether their claims were accepted and providing details about payment amounts.

Payments will be processed in the coming weeks and months, with delivery methods expected to include mailed checks, digital payments, or prepaid cards depending on claimant choice.

The same three sectors continue to produce the most jobs

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January, as unemployment held at 4.3%.

• Health care, social assistance, and construction led hiring, while federal government and financial jobs declined.

• Annual benchmark revisions sharply lowered 2025 job growth totals.

If you are looking for a job, your prospects may be getting a little brighter. U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, significantly more than expected.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%, signaling a steady but restrained start to 2026. The latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show modest job growth following a sluggish 2025, when payrolls expanded by an average of just 15,000 jobs per month.

Gains last month were concentrated in health care, social assistance, and construction, while federal government payrolls continued to shrink and financial sector employment declined.

Unemployment steady, but higher than a year ago

The jobless rate held at 4.3% in January, with 7.4 million Americans unemployed. That is little changefrom December, but up from 4.0% and 6.9 million unemployed a year earlier.

Teenagers saw some improvement, with their unemployment rate falling to 13.6%. Rates for adult men (3.8%), adult women (4.0%), and major racial and ethnic groups showed little monthly movement. Black workers continued to face a higher unemployment rate at 7.2%, compared with 3.7% for White workers, 4.1% for Asian workers, and 4.7% for Hispanic workers.

Long-term unemployment defined as those jobless for 27 weeks or more was essentially unchanged at 1.8 million in January. However, thathas risen by 386,000 over the past year. One in four unemployed workers has been out of work for at least six months.

The labor force participation rate remained at 62.5%, and the employment-population ratio held at 59.8%, both largely unchanged over the past year.

There was some relief in involuntary part-time employment. The number of people working part time for economic reasons fell by 453,000 to 4.9 million in January, though that figure remains higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, 5.8 million people outside the labor force said they wanted a job, down by 399,000 from December.

Health care drives job gains

Health care once again led job growth, adding 82,000 positions in January. Ambulatory health care services accounted for 50,000 of those jobs, while hospitals added 18,000 and nursing and residential care facilities contributed 13,000.

Social assistance employment rose by 42,000, primarily in individual and family services. Construction added 33,000 jobs, largely among nonresidential specialty trade contractors. Construction employment had been essentially flat throughout 2025.

Other major industries including manufacturing, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality showed little change over the month.

Dating isn't canceled, but for many, overspending on it definitely is

• Gen Z is cutting dating costs, not romance Data shows many are ditching paid subscriptions and scaling back on spending that doesnt feel worth the money.

• Money habits now matter Financial responsibility like budgeting and paying bills on time is becoming a major green flag in relationships.

• Cheap or free dates are the norm Coffee, walks, hikes, and nights-in are replacing pricey dinners as Gen Z focuses on connection over cost.

New data from Bank of America suggests that financial priorities are reshaping modern dating, especially among Gen Z, generally defined as those born between 1997 and 2012.

According to the banks latest Better Money Habits research, nearly one in three Americans (32%) say they would make sacrifices to their dating lives for financial reasons. Among Gen Z, that number jumps to a striking 59%.

Even more telling is that 46% of Gen Zers have actually deleted dating apps, and 45% say theyve stopped paying for the upgraded version.

Its not anti-dating its anti-overpaying

Young people arent stepping away from dating itself, says Mary Hines Droesch, Head of Consumer and Small Business Products at Bank of America, in an interview with ConsumerAffairs. Theyre stepping away from paying for things that dont feel worth the cost.

According to BofAs broader research on spending habits, 44% of Gen Z consumers say they plan to cancel or downgrade lifestyle subscriptions(i.e. Hinge, Nuuly, Oura Ring, etc.).

These include dating apps, beauty boxes, and even wearable tech services. Of that group, 42% say reducing their spending is the main objective.

If an app isnt delivering real value, Droesch says, its often the first thing to get deleted.

Love just with a budget

An overwhelming 78% of Gen Z respondents say financial health matters in a potential partner.

But that doesnt necessarily mean theyre searching for high earners or luxury lifestyles.

Its less about how much someone earns, and more so how they manage what they have, Droesch explains. Paying bills on time, budgeting, and making thoughtful spending choices all signal stability and trust.

In fact, 78% of Gen Zers say responsible financial behaviors are important in a partner. These traits are now being weighed right alongside personality and chemistry, and not as a "would be nice" afterthought.

Personal anecdote: Having raised three Gen Zers myself, I absolutely see this with them and their friends, and honestly, I think its great to see. They grew up duringthe pressures of a global pandemic, not to mention constant talk ofrising student loan debt and sky-high housing costs. So it fits that they would be more cautious with their money, even when it comes to dating and relationships.

Dates dont have to be expensive anymore

Financial caution is also reshaping how Gen Z actually dates.

Forget the expectation of pricey dinners and elaborate nights out. Over half of Gen Z (53%) say they spend $0 a month on romantic dates, opting instead for low or no-cost ways to connect.

Think of things like:

• Coffee meetups
• Walks in the park or a hike
• Free community events
• Movie nights at home

They're stepping away from the idea that meaningful connections have to be expensive, Droesch says.

When I asked my 21-year-old daughter about this, whos in a fairly new relationship, she 100% agreed. She said she would actually prefer a hike and a quick lunch over an expensive night out. Especially in the beginning of a relationship, as it feels more authentic and less pressured.

Talking about money is less taboo too

Money conversations, once considered awkward or very unromantic, are becoming part of the foundation for Gen Z relationships.

Its no longer an immediate mood killer to talk openly about financial goals, and even spending habits (good or bad). In fact, its increasingly seen as a sign of maturity.

Gen Z, in particular, seems comfortable talking about financial compatibility fairly early in a relationship. The idea that love has to exist in a bubble, separate from money, just doesnt match todays reality.

And for many, being aligned financially is part of feeling secure emotionally.

A temporary trend or a lasting shift?

Rising rent, higher grocery bills, and lingering inflation have certainly put pressure on young adults wallets.

But experts say this dating reset seems deeper than just a short-term reaction.

This feels more like a mindset shift than a moment, Droesch says. Rising costs may have sparked it, but Gen Z is rewriting the rules of dating less pressure to spend, more focus on real connection and shared values.

Even if the financial stresses ease, the expectation that romance requires expensive outings and dating app subscriptions may never return.

Instead, dating may continue moving toward:

• More in-person, organic connections
• Less emphasis on curated app profiles
• Greater attention to shared financial values

For Gen Z, romance isnt dead. Its just getting a budget makeover.